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When an ex-wife fights to control her stroke-stricken ex-hubby’s assets

Why you should make your Lasting Power of Attorney early

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    • An LPA is drawn up to appoint people (donees) to look after you (the donor) and make decisions on your behalf, at a time when you lose mental capacity.
    • An LPA is drawn up to appoint people (donees) to look after you (the donor) and make decisions on your behalf, at a time when you lose mental capacity. PHOTO: BT FILE

    Lorna Tan

    Published Sat, Jul 19, 2025 · 07:00 AM

    MANY people have the misconception that the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is for seniors to make, but the reality is that no one knows when we may become mentally incapacitated, or – in the case of a will – when our time will be up.

    This was what happened to David Tan (not his real name) who did not make an LPA and a will. David – now aged 50 – lost mental capacity after he suffered a stroke in March 2023. He has two sons, aged 13 and 15, who are under his ex-wife’s custody after he filed for a divorce against her in 2018.

    Being mentally incapacitated means, in the LPA context, you cannot make decisions for yourself on matters relating to your property, finances and welfare. Such a situation could well result in you being in a state of limbo, as your next-of-kin may not be able to deal with matters relating to your properties, access bank accounts or make decisions on your behalf.

    Estate planningLasting power of attorneyMONEY MATTERS

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